Wrocław (pronounced Vrots-swaf; commonly known by its German and English name Breslau before 1945) is the largest city and capital of Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland. Wrocław is also one of the historic capitals of Silesia. With a population close to 630,000 and a metropolitan figure well over a million, Wrocław is the fourth largest city in Poland, and is among one of the republic's major manufacturing, banking, industrial, tourist and cultural centers. Thanks to events such as the Euro 2012 Championship, where Wrocław stood as one of the host cities, to the upcoming 2016 European Capital of Culture, Wrocław is gaining a larger European and international profile, drawing in a growing amount of tourists for its historic city center, picturesque bridges and islands, and the city's relaxed liberal culture. The city is also known for its high quality of life.

Wrocław is historically divided into five boroughs. Most of the city's main tourist attractions are located directly in the center, though several major points of interest can be found further afield.

Wrocław's five historical boroughs.

Old Town (Stare Miasto) (Market Square, Town Hall, Salt Square, St. Elizabeth's Church, St. Mary Magdalena's Church, Racławicka Panorama, National Museum in Wrocław, Museum of Architecture.)The commercial and tourist heart of the city, the highly picturesque Old Town (Stare Miasto) offers an array of attractions and cultural events, making it easily the central focal point for any visit to Wrocław.

Downtown (Śródmieście) (Cathedral Island, Tumski Bridge, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Botanical Garden, Słodowa Island, Centennial Hall, Wrocław Fountain, Szczytnicki Park, Japanese Garden, Wrocław Zoo.)The main feature of the Downtown (Śródmieście) borough is Cathedral Island (Ostrów Tumski), a collection of picturesque islands making up the ancient core of the city. Away from its cobblestone streets and parks are grand boulevards, stately apartments and mansions, and an array of sites.

Psie PoleThe northern borough of Wrocław is a mixture of residential and industrial buildings.

Krzyki (Wrocław Główny, Sky Tower, South Park.)A mostly residential area south of the central core, Krzyki is home to many of the city's key rail and bus transportation centers, as well as features one of Poland's tallest structures.

Fabryczna (Tysiąclecia Park, Municipal Stadium, Wrocław-Copernicus Airport.)The western area of the city, known previously as an industrial area, is today a quiet residential district. Wrocław's main stadium, as well as its international airport, are found in this borough.

Founded sometime in the 900s, the city's distinctive name possibly originated from Vratislaus I, the Duke of Bohemia, or from a local Silesian chieftan. First recorded as Wrotizlava around 1000 as Silesia was brought into the first united Polish kingdom, the city switched hands between Poland, Silesia, Bohemia, and Hungary (and sometimes back and forth) in its first 400 years. Despite a devastating Mongol siege in 1241 and an earthquake in 1443, the city grew and flourished, attracting Germans, Poles, Jews and Czechs. German immigration grew to such heights that they soon outnumbered the city's Slavic population, gaining power in the city council and renaming the town Breslau. In 1526, the city was absorbed into the Austrian Habsburg monarchy. Having largely converted to Protestantism during the Reformation, Breslau was targeted by the Catholic Habsburgs during the Counter-Reformation after the Thirty Years War. Despite severe restrictions on the freedom of worship, Breslau culturally flourished under Austrian rule, as Baroque architecture and arts were actively pursued. The Austrians' legacy is still highly visible to this day, with sweeping Baroque buildings found throughout the Old Town.

The historic Church of St. Elizabeth.

Austrian rule over Breslau came to an abrupt end in 1741, when King Frederick the Great militarily seized and annexed Silesia for Prussia. Now under the Prussian kingdom, Protestantism and Judaism again flourished after years of Austrian Catholic suppression. During the Prussian (and later German) era, Breslau industrialized, becoming the largest German city east of Berlin, and a major center for the arts and sciences. As Breslau bordered the Slavic world, German nationalism was keenly felt in the city during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Following World War I, the city became a hotbed of anti-Polish and anti-Semitic sentiment after the creation of the neighboring Second Polish Republic, particularly after eastern regions of Silesia were forcefully annexed by Polish insurgents at Weimar Germany's expense. This strong nationalist sentiment partly enabled the rise of the Nazis throughout the 1920s and early 1930s, who made Breslau one of their chief support bases. In the 1932 elections alone, the Nazis gained 46 percent of Breslau's vote, their third highest percentage in all of Germany.

During the Nazi era, the city's Polish and Jewish communities were intimidated, suppressed, and ultimately liquidated. Most of Breslau's remaining Jews were sent to perish in the concentration camps, while all traces of Polish culture in the city were destroyed or removed through Germanization. During World War II, the city became a major center for refugees fleeing the Eastern Front, as Breslau was largely spared of Allied bombing and far from the battlelines. By early 1945, the Soviet Red Army had encircled the city for a siege. Declaring Breslau as a fortress city, Hitler ordered it to be defended at all costs. The resulting grueling siege resulted in mass destruction for infrastructure, buildings, and people alike. The last major city in the Third Reich to surrender to the Allies, Breslau capitulated on 6 May 1945, after nearly 100,000 civilian and military deaths. In the war's aftermath, Breslau was annexed by Poland and renamed to its former Polish name, Wrocław. The city's German majority was subsequently expelled, replaced by Poles who had been previously expelled from areas of eastern Poland now annexed by the Soviet Union.

In the post-war communist years, Wrocław was painstakingly rebuilt and rejuvenated. Despite the communists providing a degree a comfort and renewed economic productivity, agitation against the regime remained just below the surface. The rise of Solidarity in Gdańsk in the early 1980s and its suppression by martial law sparked the Orange Alternative, a peaceful protest movement which used public art and absurdist humor to protest. The Orange Alternative's impact on Wrocław's culture was immense. The city's iconic and whimsical dwarf statues are a testament to that movement's memory. The collapse of communism in 1989 opened Wrocław to the world. As Poland rushes headlong into further integration with the rest of Europe, the city has increased its international profile and is quickly becoming a major tourist and business center, with a number Japanese and Korean businessmen and families now calling the city home. Additionally, a small yet growing Italian community congregating in the Little Italy neighborhood in the Old Town has grown considerably in the last decade.

Bus 406 operates from the airport terminal building to central Wrocław between 05:00 23:00 every 20 minutes. Night bus 249 is also available available. A journey planner JakDojadę can be helpful to check bus schedule. Single-ride ticket from Wroclaw Airport to the city center costs 3zł (or 1.50zł for students or ISIC/EURO 26 Holders, with card in-hand).

There are a few alternative airports that can be used to reach Wrocław. Poznań-Ławica Airport (IATA: POZ), located 200 km (125 mi) north of the city near Poznań, is one choice. Another alternative is Katowice International Airport (IATA: KTW). Katowice is situated east of Wrocław and is also 200 km (125 mi) distant. From the airport, take the PKM Katowice bus (26zł) to Katowice Główny train station, and then continue with a train or an express bus to Wrocław.

Wrocław Główny, sometimes called Dworzec PKP on street signs, is the city's main train station and serves as a major transit point for the Polish rail network, with many daily trains departing and arriving from all of the major cities in the country. The station is a hub to national rail operator PKP Intercity, national regional operator Przewozy Regionalne and provincial rail company Koleje Dolnośląskie. There are many connections to Warsaw, Poznań, Katowice, and Kraków, as well as to other cities in central Europe. Additionally, the station is also a gateway to rail connections to smaller cities and communities throughout Lower Silesia and other neighboring provinces.

Due to Poland's complex transportation network, arriving by bus is a fairly common and popular alternative to train travel. Wrocław's main bus station, Dworzec Centralny PKS, is located directly behind Wrocław Główny train station. As of 2015, the station is currently being rebuilt and expanded to become a mixed transport center and shopping mall. Until its completion in 2017, buses will stop nearby at a temporary location between ul. Suchą, ul. Joannitów and ul. Dyrekcyjną, also not far from the main railway.

Wrocław is a major stop on the Eurolines international coach network, with connections to all across Europe. The domestic carrier PolskiBus operates routes to and from Berlin, Katowice, Kraków, Poznań, Prague and Warsaw (via Łódź). Tickets are only available online, yet traveling with the company is comfortable. Most of its fleet is brand new with free wifi within Polish borders. Tickets are cheap when bought in advance.

A popular connection with Kraków is run by Link-bus, with online prices starting from 15zł going up to 40zł when you buy at the last minute. Another popular company that rides to Kraków and back (with a stop in Katowice) is Lajkonik. There are three buses every day in each direction. A one-way ticket is 43zł (with some small discounts for students).

There are also a number of smaller, domestic companies operating to and from Wrocław, which can be researched via e-podroznik.pl. Many of these smaller companies allow online purchases.

Wrocław is located next to the A4 motorway (E40), Poland's main southern artery. The A4 motorway links the metropolis to further cities to the west, including Dresden across the Germany border, as well as to Opole, Katowice, Kraków and Rzeszów to the east. The A8 motorway (E67) acts as a western bypass of Wrocław, continued onwards by the S8 expressway which connects the city to Łódź and Warsaw. The partially-completed S5 expressway, with many segments currently under construction, will connect the city to Poznań by 2020. From the south, Wrocław is accessed by DK8, a slow national road that leads to the border spa town of Kudowa-Zdrój on the Czech Republic border.

Wrocław is a very pedestrian and bicycle-friendly city, helped in part by its street grid pattern and marked bike lanes. The center, clustered mostly around the Old Town and Downtown, is completely navigable by foot. However, attractions located in the further reaches of Downtown and Krzyki are perhaps best accessed by public transport, which is a speedy and highly reliable option.

The city's excellent public transport system MPK Wrocław enables visitors to go to outlying attractions outside of the immediate center quickly and efficiently. MPK's fleet is composed of trams (normally colored white and blue) and buses (colored usually red and yellow).There are over 25 tram lines and 60 bus lines, though trams are normally prefered by visitors due to their clear routes and stops. A timetable and route planner for MPK can be researched here.

Purchasing bus and tram tickets is relatively easy. Most major stations have computerized ticketing machines, with an interface available in several languages (English, German, French, Italian and Russian), accepting coins, paper money and credit cards (Visa, Master Card, American Express). Additionally, virtually every bus and tram will have a similar computerized ticketing machine inside. Municipal transport tickets are 3zł (1.50zł reduced fare) for a single, 30 minute journey; 4.40zł (2.20zł reduced fare) is charged for an hour ticket. Night fares are 3.20zł (1.60zł reduced fare) for a single journey. All children under the age of four and senior citizens over 70 ride for free. Teenagers of school age, university students, doctoral students and pensioners below 70 may use the reduced fare ticket, though you will need to show a document (identification, student card) to prove it. Individuals riding without a ticket or using an invalidated ticket are subject to a 150zł fine.

Individuals traveling with luggage, such as suitcases or backpacks must buy an additional 1.50zł ticket for their piece.

Thanks to excellent street planning and the city's relatively flat geography, Wrocław is a great city to explore and traverse by bicycle. Many bicycle lanes and signals are clearly marked to help riders safely get from one part of the city to the other. Several locations offer bicycle rentals in the city center. One of the largest rental chains, Nextbike, offers numerous locations to pick up and drop off your bike across the city, with the first 20 minutes of usage free of charge.

Market Square (Rynek), (in the Old Town's center, next to Town Hall), [2]. The architectural centre-point of the city and its most obvious attraction, Market Square is one of the biggest city squares in Europe, lined on all sides with jaw-dropping, photogenic buildings. A magnet for tourists and locals alike, the square is often busy day and night thanks to its numerous bars, restaurants, clubs, boutiques, and historical sites of interest.edit

Town Hall (Ratusz), ul. Sukiennice 14 (in the middle of Market Square), ☎+48 71 347 16 90 (bdomanska@mmw.pl), [3]. Wed-Sat, 10:00-17:00; Sun, 10:00-18:00. A symbol of the city and Lower Silesia, the Gothic Town Hall dates back to the end of the 13th century, and steadily expanded over time. A home to trade, courts, and civil administration for hundreds of years, the building lost most of its administrative purposes in the 19th century as the city government moved to the New Town Hall building next door, and by the 1930s, became a museum. Surviving World War II with minor damage, the building today serves as the home of the Museum of Bourgeois Art, and has become an architectural icon.7-20zł. edit

Salt Square (Plac Solny), (immediately southwest of Market Square). A square dating from the Middle Ages directly adjoining Market Square, the Salt Square is home to a large flower market, and is flanked on all sides by a number of cafes, bars, and restaurants.edit

ul. Więzienna. A narrow, pedestrianized street spanning from Market Square to the University of Wrocław in the heart of the Old Town, ul. Więzienna is lined with popular cafes, restaurants, boutiques and historical landmarks. The street is also home to a fledgling Italian community, as evidenced by the number of Italian-style cafes and restaurants. The street is particularly frequented by young students.edit

University of Wrocław (Uniwersytet Wrocławski), Plac Uniwersytecki 1 (near the Oder River), [4]. A Baroque architectural gem, the University of Wrocław's main faculty building was built between 1728 to 1739 on the banks of the Oder, and today dominates the Old Town's riverside. Within the building, visitors should not miss the stunning Aula Leopoldina, a sweeping Baroque lecture hall.edit

The John (left) and Margaret (right) houses).

Market Hall (Hala Targowa), ul. Piaskowa 15, ☎+48 71 344 27 31. Dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, this large hall houses some of the best selections of local foods in the city, with merchants selling everything from funeral bouquets, fresh strawberries, to pierogi. Loud, overwhelming, and thoroughly Polish, Market Hall harkens back to a previous era without supermarkets and computerized cashiers.edit

John and Margaret Houses (Jaś i Małgosia), ul. Świętego Mikołaja 1 (next to St. Elizabeth's Church and Market Square). Also translated as the Hansel and Gretel Houses, the John and Margaret buildings (connected by an archway between the two) are the last remaining tenement apartments from the 1400s that used to surround a church and small cemetery where present-day Church of St. Elizabeth now stands. Repaired, expanded, and reconstructed a number of times over the last 600 years, the two tenements are today a reminder of the city's medieval heritage.edit

Royal Palace (Pałac Królewski), ul. Kazimierza Wielkiego 35, ☎+48 71 347 16 90, [5]. Tue-Fri, 10:00-17:00; Sat-Sun, 10:00-18:00. Located in the southern part of the Old Town, this large Baroque palace was completed in 1717 during the city's Austrian period, though it gained prominence after Silesia's annexation by Prussia in 1750, when it became one of the official residences of King Frederick the Great. Used by the Prussian monarchy as a residence for decades to come, the building additionally served as the birthplace of the Iron Cross military medal, proclaimed by Prussian King Frederick William III in 1813. Heavily damaged during World War II, the building was beautifully restored in the 2000s, becoming the home to the City Museum of Wrocław in 2008.10-30zł (permanent exhibitions free). edit

Cathedral Island (Ostrów Tumski). Wrocław's oldest area, dating to the 900s, Cathedral Island is a thoroughly pleasant, picturesque, and cobblestone area of the city, located on the north bank of the Oder River. Removed from the noise of the Old Town, Cathedral Island is today the home of several churches and seminaries, including the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Romantic and mysterious, Cathedral Island's oil lamps are also hand-lit during the evening hours.edit

Tumski Bridge (Most Tumski). A steel bridge dating to 1889, Tumski Bridge connects Cathedral Island to neighboring Sand Island. Seen often as one of the most romantic parts of the city, Tumski Bridge is popular amongst lovers, many of whom attach small padlocks to the bridge to celebrate their romance.edit

Sand Island (Wyspa Piaskowa), (near Tumski Brdige). A prominent island in the Oder River, acting as a gateway between the Old Town and Cathedral Island, Sand Island is home to the University of Wrocław's library, along with the impressive St. Mary's Parish Church, and a pleasant riverside park popular amongst students during warm, sunny days.edit

Centennial Hall (Hala Stulecia), ul. Wystawowa 1 (located in Szczytnicki Park, across the street from the Wrocław Zoo), ☎+48 71 347 51 51 (info@halastulecia.pl), [6]. Built between 1911 to 1913 by Max Berg, Centennial Hall was, at the time of its completion, was one of the largest buildings of its kind in the world, with a dome rivaling the Pantheon in Rome. Built with reinforced concrete, a relatively new concept at the time, Centennial Hall continues to impress with its sheer size and ahead-of-time architecture, bridging the 19th century with the modern era. In 2006, the structure was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site.edit

Centennial Hall during the day, with the Wrocław Fountain in in the foreground.

Wrocław Fountain (Wrocławska Fontanna), ul. Wystawowa 1 (located next to Centennial Hall, in Szczytnicki Park), ☎+48 71 347 50 09 (info@wroclawskafontanna.pl), [7]. Opened in 2009, this one hectare (110,000 sq ft) fountain incorporates over 300 jets and 800 lights to create impressive water and light shows (soundtracked by classical to modern music) for crowds of thousands at a time, and is presently one of the largest fountains in Europe. Entirely free to view, fountain shows run from April to October.edit

Wrocław Zoo (Ogród Zoologiczny we Wrocławiu), ul. Wróblewskiego 1 (located across the street from Centennial Hall in Szczytnicki Park), ☎+48 71 348 30 24, [8]. Mon-Fri, 09:00-18:00; Sat-Sun, 09:00-19:00. Covering over 33 hectares (82 acres) and home to over 7,000 animals, the Wrocław Zoo is ranked as one of the most visited and popular zoos in Poland.40zł. edit

Wrocław Main Station (Wrocław Główny), ul. Piłsudskiego 105 (located across the street from Centennial Hall in Szczytnicki Park), ☎+48 71 348 30 24 (wroclaw.glowny@pkp.pl), [9]. Mon-Sun, 04:00-00:00. Built during Wrocław's Prussian era as Breslau Hauptbahnhof in the 1850s, mimicing a neo-Gothic castle with oriental influences, Wrocław Główny was negelected for many years before being completely refurbished for the 2012 UEFA Championship. Today, this large train station has become a tourist stop in its own right, and is often considered as the most beautiful train station in the country.edit

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (Archikatedra św. Jana Chrzciciela), Plac Katedralny 18, ☎+48 71 322 25 74 (katedra@archidiecezja.wroc.pl), [11]. Built after the Mongol invasion, this Gothic and neo-Gothic has evolved and expanded over the last 700 years, suffering fires in 1540, 1759, and war damage during the final days of World War II in 1945. Exquisitely restored in the years since, the structure dominates the skyline of Cathedral Island, drawing in thousands of visitors and the faithful.edit

Church of St. Elizabeth (Kościół Św. Elżbiety), ul. św. Elżbiety 1, ☎+48 71 343 72 04, [12]. Towering over Market Square, St. Elizabeth dates to the 1300s. A Protestant church from 1525 to 1946, the church was rededicated as a Catholic site following Wrocław's annexation by Poland. A large fire gutted the church in 1976, yet has since been lovingly restored. Today, St. Elizabeth's is dedicated to the servicemen and women of the Polish Armed Forces. Panorama seekers will appreciate the church's high bell tower, where for a small fee, visitors can ascend nearly 90 m up a spiraling, narrow medieval staircase for some of the most spectacular views of the entire city.edit

The White Stork Synagogue is a center for Jewish culture and history in the city.

Church of St. Mary Magdalene (Kościół św. Marii Magdaleny), ul. Szewska 10, ☎+48 71 344 19 04, [13]. One of the city's iconic sites, St. Magdalene's is a Gothic church dating to the 14th century, with its distinctive towers completed in the 15th century. A Protestant church from 1523 until Lower Silesia's handover to Poland after World War II, the church was heavily damaged during the conflict’s last days, requiring years of restoration. Today, this Gothic structure is a cathedral of the Polish Catholic Church, a breakaway faction of Old Catholic churches not in communion with Rome. The church is famous for its Penitence Bridge, a stone link between the church's two towers, which affords visitors spectacular views of the Old Town.edit

White Stork Synagogue (Synagoga Pod Białym Bocianem), ul. Pawła Włodkowica 7, ☎+48 71 343 64 01 (cizwroclaw@gmail.com), [14]. Built between 1827 to 1829 during the city's Prussian era neard the western edge of the Old Town, the White Stork Synagogue served as a cultural and religious center for Breslau's conservative Jewish population. Ransacked by the Nazis during Kristallnacht, the building acted as a warehouse for personal items confiscated by the Nazis from Jews deported to the concentration camps. A synagogue again after the war until a government-sponsored anti-Semitic campaign forced its closure again in 1974, the building became a library for the University of Wrocław. In the 2000s, the synagogue underwent a complete revitalization and was returned to the Jewish community, where it has again become a religious and community center, as well as functioning as a museum.edit

Church of St. Giles (Kościół św. Idziego), Plac Katedralny (next to St. John the Baptist Cathedral). Sun, 12:00-13:00. Standing inconspicuously across the street from the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on Cathedral Island, the Church of St. Giles is a small, brick Romanesque church. Built some time between 1218 to 1240, the church is the oldest standing structure in Wrocław (and its oldest continuous house of worship), miraculously surviving floods, fires, and invasions, from the Mongols to the Soviets.edit

City Museum of Wrocław (Muzeum Miejskie Wrocławia), ul. Kazimierza Wielkiego 35, ☎+48 71 347 16 90, [18]. Tue-Fri, 10:00-17:00; Sat-Sun, 10:00-18:00. With its primary location housed on the grounds of the former Royal Palace used by the Prussian monarchy in the 18th and 19th centuries, this fascinating museum details the 1000 year history of Wrocław.10-30zł (permanent exhibitions free). edit

Museum of Archaeology (Muzeum Archeologiczne), ul. Cieszyńskiego 9, ☎+48 71 347 16 96, [19]. Wed-Sat, 10:00-17:00; Sun, 10:00-18:00. Located within the former city arsenal, the Mueseum of Archaeology is one of the oldest of its kind in Europe, established in 1815. The museum showcases archaeological discoveries throughout Silesia, ranging from prehistoric times to the 19th century. The museum is a part of the City Museum of Wrocław.5-15zł. edit

Museum of Burgeois Art (Muzeum Archeologiczne), ul. Sukiennice 14 (in the middle of Market Square), ☎+48 71 347 16 90 (bdomanska@mmw.pl), [20]. Wed-Sat, 10:00-17:00; Sun, 10:00-18:00. Located in the picturesque Old Town Hall in the center of Market Square, this historical art museum details 19th and 20th century life in Wrocław, including drawings, handicrafts, and objects used in every day life in the past. The building is part of the City Museum of Wrocław.7-20zł (permanent exhibitions free). edit

Panorama of the Battle of Racławice (Panorama Racławicka), ul. Jana Ewangelisty Purkyniego 11 (in Juliusza Słowackiego Park, next to the National Museum), ☎+48 71 344 16 61 (biuro@panoramaraclawicka.pl), [21]. Tue-Sun, 09:00-17:00. Unvieled in 1894, this massive and highly detailed panorama painting, created by artist Jan Styka, depicts the 1794 Battle of Racławice during the Kościuszko Uprising, when Polish rebel troops inflicted a major defeat on the Russian Army in Lesser Poland. Originally located in Lviv in modern-day Ukraine (then part of Austria-Hungary and later the Second Polish Republic), this massive painting was painstakingly removed from Lviv following that city's annexation by the Soviet Union after World War II, relocating to Wrocław. Today, the panorama is one of the few of its kind to survive the 19th century, and continues to impress visitors with its sheer size and detail. The panorama is a part of the National Museum in Wrocław.18-25zł. edit

As a provincial capital and one of the largest cities in the country, Wrocław has an abundance of cultural events to see and experience year round, helped in part by the city's large youth population and its magnetic pull to artists. Events ranging from the classical arts to the cutting edge can be easily found. In addition, Wrocław is blessed by a number of comfortable and scenic parks.

For a great overview of the local scene, including news, upcoming events, restaurant listings, movie reviews, and commentary, people can visit Wrocław Uncut, one of the best English language current affairs websites for the city and surrounding region. Wrocław Uncut also maintains a very active presence on Facebook.

Wrocław Festival of Good Beer (Wrocławski Festiwal Dobrego Piwa) - annual three-day event held on the second weekend of May, showcasing the best Polish microbrews, along with brewing workshops, cuisine, and live music.

Thanks Jimi Festival - annual event held every 1 May in the Old Town's Market Square, where any guitarist is invited to play en mass the Jimi Hendrix Experience's rendition of the classic 1965 song, "Hey Joe." The event has become an annual event to maintain (and even better) the festival's on and off Guinness world record for the most guitars playing together.

New Horizons Film Festival (Nowe Horyzonty) - annual international film festival held in July, often regarded as one of the most lively, popular and accessible of its kind in Poland.

International Festival Wratislavia Cantans (Twórcą Festiwalu Wratislavia Cantans) - annual classical music festival, held in early to mid-September. Composed of an international selection of musicians and conductors, the festival features oratorio, cantata, and chamber music, dating from the past to the present.

Dialog-Wrocław International Theatre Festival (Międzynarodowy Festiwal Teatralny Dialog-Wrocław) - annual international festival held in mid to late October, bringing in actors, playwrights, cutting-edge productions across Europe and the world.

Wrocław Christmas Market (Jarmark Bozonarodzeniowy) - annual massive outdoor Christmas market held between late November to late December, located normally in and around Market Square and adjecent streets in the Old Town.

Słodowa Island (Wyspa Słodowa), (Located across from the University of Wrocław's main faculty in the Oder River), ☎+48 71 77 24 941 (kontakt@wyspa.wroclaw.pl), [22]. A pleasant, tree-lined island in the Oder River connected by several bridges linking it with the Old Town and Downtown, Słodowa Island is a popular park just north of the Old Town. Popular amongst university students and thirty-somethings, Słodowa Island especially springs to life in the spring, summer, and autumn months, with the island playing host to numerous food, music, or outdoor film festivals regularly held on its premises. During the warm months of the year, an array of temporary riverside cafes and bars open up, offering locals and visitors alike drinks while watching the surrounding city and river go by.edit

Szczytnicki Park (Park Szczytnicki), (Located directly next to the Wrocław Zoo, the Wrocław Fountain, and Centennial Hall). Founded in 1785, Szczytnicki Park is the oldest and largest park in Wrocław, stretching over 1 square kilometer. The park is a common place for walks during the spring and summer months, becoming incredibly colorful in the autumn.edit

Japanese Garden (Ogród Japoński), ul. Mickiewicza (Located within Szczytnicki Park near Wrocław Fountain), [23]. Mon-Sun, 09:00-19:00. An island of Japanese culture within Poland, the Japanese Garden was originally built in 1913. Completely restored between 1995 to 1999 (though cruelly interrupted by the Great Flood of 1997) by a joint Polish-Japanese team of gardening specialists, the garden today hosts an incredible array of Japanese and East Asian flora, pagodas, and bridges, feeling a world away from the city's bustling crowds.4zł. edit

South Park (Park Południowy), ul. Powstańców Śląskich (DK5) (Situated at the intersection of ul. Powstańców Śląskich and ul. Kutnowska). Located in the Krzyki borough of the city south of the Old Town, South Park is among one of Wrocław's most visited parklands, packed with sedate herbal gardens, dense forests, grass to relax on, and a monumental statue to the nation's favorite son, Frederic Chopin.edit

The Japanese Garden in Szczytnicki Park.

East Park (Park Wschodni), ul. Krakowska 141 (DK94) (Near the intersection of ul. Karola Skibińskiego and ul. Krakowska). Also located in the Krzyki neighborhood near the eastern edge of the city on the banks of Oława River, East Park is a masterpiece of design, yet was left forgotten for decades. After several years of restoration, the park is now a gem worth visiting, especially in April when its wetland flowers are blooming, or in autumn when vegetation turns into picturesque blend of reds, yellows and gold. As Park Wschodni borders semi-wild forests and has plenty of water, you may even watch swans taking care of their nests just a few meters from walking paths.edit

University Botanical Garden (Ogród Botaniczny Uniwersytetu), ul. Henryka Sienkiewicza 23 (Located on Cathedral Island), ☎+48 71 322 59 57, [24]. 31 Mar-31 Oct: Mon-Sun, 08:00-18:00,. These lush gardens with flora found from all corners of the globe are mixed together in a parkland of ponds of waterfalls, found just around the corner from Cathedral Island's churches and cathedral.15zł. edit

Prospective students will be pleased to know that Wrocław is the chief center for higher learning in southwestern Poland, with a number of significant universities located within the city, playing host to over 100,000 students (or roughly one-sixth of Wrocław's entire population). While the universities focuses vary, major degrees and subjects are offered in English, with Polish language classes offered additionally to foreign students wishing to integrate.

The main faculty building of the University of Wrocław illuminated at night.

There is no shortage of good restaurants to choose from when visiting, catering to numerous tastes and dishes. Thanks to an influx of Italian immigrants in recent years, Wrocław boasts many authentic pizzerias and Italian-related dining options. Japanese and Korean newcomers to the city have also added Korean barbecue and sushi to the provincial capital's long list of eateries.

Bar Miś, ul. Kuźnicza 48, ☎+48 71 343 49 63. Mon-Sat, 07:00-18:00; Sun, 08:00-17:00. A leftover from communist times, the Bar Miś is one of the decreasing number of milk bars (bar mleczny), offering simple, cheap, rib-sticking Polish cuisine, including soups, dumplings, and a variety of meat dishes. The place is frequented by students, professors, pensioners, and the elderly alike.2-6zł. edit

Bar Bazylia, ul. Kuźnicza 42, ☎+48 71 375 20 65 (rozkoszna.kuchnia@op.pl), [41]. Mon-Fri, 08:00-19:00; Sat-Sun, 07:30-19:00. A cafeteria located next to the University of Wrocław's Law Department in the Old Town, offering simple food and cheap prices in a clean and fast atmosphere.2-9zł. edit

Bar Mewa, ul. Bolesława Drobnera 4, ☎+48 71 329 69 07. Mon-Fri, 08:00-16:00; Sat, 09:00-16:00. Another popular milk bar just north of the Old Town on the opposite side of the Oder, the Mewa offers some dishes at specific hours (pierogi: 13:00, pancakes: 14:00, pierogi with cabbage: 15:00, potato pancakes: 16:00). The Mewa is one of the cheapest places to eat in the city.2-5zł. edit

Piwnica Świdnicka, ul. Ratusz 1 (Directly under Old Town Hall in Market Square), (piwnica@piwnicaswidnicka.com), [54]. Mon-Sun, 12:00-23:00. Dating to 1273, this medieval cellar is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Wrocław and one of the oldest in Europe, where everyone from Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund, Goethe, Słowacki, Chopin, and the authors of both the German and Polish national anthems (Fallersleben and Wybicki, respectively) has ate and drank at one point over its 750-year history. Visitors can dine and drink communally on Polish and Silesian staples while sitting on long bench tables. The Świdnicka is quite popular among German tourists. 10-90zł. edit

There's quite a significant number of cafes, bars, and clubs located throughout Wrocław, catering to a multitude of different tastes, crowds and venues. Most visitors will find the majority of the city's drinking establishments in the centre near Market Square, yet many others can be found just immediately outside on neighboring streets and alleys. There are several major establishments located further afield.

Cafe Rozrusznik, ul. Wojciecha Cybulskiego 15 (on the north bank of the Oder, near Pomorski Bridge). Mon-Fri; 10:00-20:00. A bohemian cafe with an excellent selection of coffee blends and other drinks. The Rozrusznik is often regarded with having some of the best coffee in the city.5-20zł. edit

Cafeteria Chic, ul. Katedralna 6 (on Cathedral Island), ☎+48 71 327 13 55. Mon-Sun; 09:00-22:00. A small cafe located not far from all the major churches on Cathedral Island, with a great selection of coffee and cakes.5-25zł. edit

Mleczarnia, ul. Pawła Włodkowica 5, ☎+48 71 788 24 48 (biuro@mle.pl), [60]. Mon-Sun, 08:00-04:00. A large cafe and pub occupying the basement and ground level of an old fin-de-siecle building, with unique dark, cozy, wooden interiors. The Mleczarnia is often home to concerts, including Jewish music, jazz, progressive rock, and film scores. Discussion groups and exhibitions are also common.6-20zł. edit

Więzienna Pub, ul. Więzienna 6, ☎+48 693 562 620 (wieziennapub@gmail.com). Mon-Wed, 11:00-00:00; Thu, 11:00-01:00; Fri-Sat, 11:00-03:00, Sun, 11:00-00:00. At atmospheric extremely popular with local university students, offering a number of brews and wines. The pub is located within the walls and atrium of a former 19th century prison.4-30zł. edit

Klub Bezsenność (Insomnia), ul. Ruska 51, ☎+48 570-669-570 (biuro@bezsennoscklub.com), [66]. Tue, 19:00-03:00; Wed-Sat, 19:00-05:00; Sun, 19:00-03:00. A popular bar and music club, especially with the city's youth and for a number of twenty-somethings, open until the wee hours of the morning.5-30zł. edit

Grampa's Hostel, pl. Św Macieja 2/1, ☎+48 71 787 84 44 (booking@grampahostel.com), [71]. checkin: 14:00; checkout: 11:30. An excellent value for money, with a good location near connections to everywhere in the city. Free breakfast, wifi, and laundry. The hostel is fully equipped with a kitchen and a big common room. Friendly English-speaking staff with many social events.32-360zł. edit

HiWay Hostel, ul. Marii Curie-Sklodowskiej 9/4 (near Plac Grunwaldzki), ☎+48 51 301 11 69, [72]. This very basic hostel is located near the University of Environmental and Life Sciences.35zł. edit

Hostel Babel, ul. Kołłątaja 16/3, ☎+48 71 344 12 06 (rezerwacja@babelhostel.pl), [73]. Located within a stone's throw of the Old Town, just around the corner from Wrocław Główny rail station. Sheets, lockers and Internet are provided. There is a media lounge where you can watch DVD movies and play video games.40-140zł. edit

The One Hostel, ul Rynek 30, ☎+48 71 337 24 02 (recepcja@onehostel.pl), [76]. This convienient and comfortable hostel is located directly next to Market Square in the city center.39-110zł dorm bed. edit

U Szermierzy, ul. Zygmunta Krasińskiego 30b (By the large brown doors under the ''U Szermierzy'' sign is an intercom; enter '55' and the receptionist will buzz you in. Walk directly ahead (through a large corridor and a second identical set of large brown doors) into the courtyard, where you will see the hostel entrance straight ahead.), ☎+48 71 343 49 89, [77]. checkin: 12:00; checkout: 10:00. Treading the line between hostel and cheap hotel, "U Szermierzy" has 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-bed rooms, the more expensive ones equipped with en suites and televisions. Dilapidated but clean, and less than 1 km from Market Square. Free parking available, enter via ul. Generała Romualda Traugutta, 150m east of the intersection with ul. Zygmunta Krasińskiego. Free Wi-Fi internet access.single from 70zł, double with bathroom and shower 90zł. (51.1062,17.0441)edit

Qubus Hotel, ul. św. Marii Magdaleny 2, ☎+48 71 782 87 65 (rezerwacja@qubushotel.com), [78]. A modern hotel part of the Norwegian-Polish Qubus chain, this hotel is located in the heart of the Old Town, with a gym, sauna, jacuzzi, and swimming pool.250-450zł. edit

Hotel Europejski, ul. Piłsudskiego 88, ☎+48 71 77 21 000 (recepcja@europejskiwroclaw.pl, fax: +48 71 77 21 005), [79]. A standard three to four star establishment south of the Old Town in the Krzyki borough, not far away from Wrocław Główny train station.149-249zł. edit

Nowa Apartments Wrocław[83] two, modern high-standard flats that can accommodate 4 persons each, 10 minutes on foot to city square - located on Nowa Street. Exceptional concept for providing accommodation (flats names are Enzo and Muza), good prices for good quality. Enjoy.

Art Hotel, ul. Kiełbaśnicza 20, ☎+48 71 787 71 00 (info@arthotel.pl, fax: +48 71 342 39 29), [84]. Recognized as one of best hotels in the city, the Art Hotel is a four-star establishment located on the western side of the Old Town. The hotel has been included in Forbes in the past.270-720zł. edit

Hotel Monopol, ul. Heleny Modrzejewskiej 2, ☎+48 71 77 23 777 (monopol.wroclaw@hotel.com.pl, fax: +48 71 77 23 778), [86]. A local landmark in the Old town, the Hotel Monopol is considered the city's swankiest hotels, located close to all major attractions. The hotel also includes a wellness and spa center.300-2500zł. edit

There are several tourist information locations found throughout the city, where visitors can get the most up-to-date information about cultural events and recreational activities in both the city and throughout Lower Silesia.

Wrocław, like most of Poland, is a very safe city, with violent crime very rare. However, visitors should exercise standard caution and safeguard your valuables, especially around crowded locations such as in Market Square. In pubs and clubs, never leave your belongings unattended. In the case of an emergency, people can dial the all-purpose emergency number 112 on their phone. For a better specification of the kind of emergency service you are requesting, people may also dial 999 for an ambulance, 998 for a fire emergency, or 997 for the police.

As international tourism has not quite hit Wrocław yet, English is not as universally spoken as in other Polish tourist destinations like Kraków, yet a majority of visitors will still be able to get around and pantomime. English can be widely understood by many younger Polish below the ages of 30. Older Poles may potentially have some knowledge of Russian and also German. Around ul. Więzienna in the heart of the Old Town, Italian can often be heard. The easiest way around any language troubles is to know at least a few basic Polish phrases, which is greatly appreciated by Vratislavians.